19-year-old midfielder signs through 2027-28 season with options for 2028-29 and 2029-30
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have signed Homegrown Player Eric Izoita to an MLS contract, the club announced today. A product of the Timbers Academy, Izoita (eye-ZOY-tah) joins the first team under contract through the 2027-28 season with options for 2028-29 and 2029-30.
Having previously signed a hybrid contract with T2 that had him set to join the first team in 2027, this contract agreement is in effect immediately.
“Everyone in the club is elated for Eric to officially join our first team here with the Portland Timbers. From his time in our academy, to further development with our NEXT Pro team, he has continued to make strides in the right direction, and he is fully deserving of this moment,” Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy said. “Eric has set an example to young players within this club that with the right mentality, habits, and work ethic, these opportunities can be earned. We are incredibly excited for what the future holds for Eric here in Portland, and we look forward to continuing to support his growth at the club.”
Izoita, 19, made his first team and MLS debut for Portland against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 7 at Providence Park. Earning a start in the match, he logged a full 90 minutes and scored Portland’s lone goal from outside of the box. Notably, Izoita became the youngest goal scorer in club history and first Timbers Academy player to score in their MLS debut. At 18 years and 180 days old, Izoita was also the second youngest player to debut with a start for the Timbers behind Marco Farfan (18 years, 120 days old).
GOAL | Eric Izoita scores golazo on MLS debut
Izoita professionally debuted for Timbers2 on March 15, 2025, and has since made 47 appearances (37 starts) for T2 in MLS NEXT Pro play, registering six goals and five assists. In the 2026 campaign, he has tallied the second-most goals (6) and assists (3) for T2, helping the NEXT Pro side earn its first playoff berth.
A native of Vancouver, Washington, Izoita is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ukraine. Internationally, the Timbers Academy product was called up to the U‑19 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team for a Domestic Identity Camp in September of 2025.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign Eric Izoita to an MLS contract through the 2027-28 season with options for 2028-29 and 2029-30.
Eric Izoita
Full name: Eric Izoita
Pronunciation: eye-ZOY-tah
Position: Midfielder
Jersey Number: 73
Date of Birth: September 8, 2007
Age: 19
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Citizenship: United States, Ukraine
Last Club: Timbers2
Portland Timbers 2026 Roster (as of Sept. 25)
Goalkeepers (3): Trey Muse, James Pantemis, Hunter Sulte
Defenders (12): Alex Bonetig, Brandon Bye, Jimer Fory, Sawyer Jura, Ronald Hernández, Zac McGraw, Eric Miller, Kamal Miller, Juan Mosquera, Ian Smith, Finn Surman, Joel Waterman
Midfielders (7): Cole Bassett, José Caicedo, Diego Chara, David Da Costa, Omir Fernandez, Eric Izoita, Joao Ortiz
Forwards (6): Antony, Alexander Aravena, Gage Guerra, Vincent Janssen, Ariel Lassiter, Kristoffer Velde
